May 5, 2007

A joke about “36” and “5000”

The thesis that all of Korea’s social maladies linger due to the Japanese colonial period — which lasted between 35 and 48 years — is complete nonsense. That such a brief interlude could completely change the culture is hard to fathom. It discounts the 5000 Years of Korean History™ that we hear about so often. How did the Japanese entice, or force, Koreans to junk the paradise of the Chosun era? After Liberation, why wouldn’t the suppressed Korean character return? Is Uncle Sucker to blame? Or is this so-called “Japanized culture” so much more powerful and compelling? Fifty years of Japan can overwhelm 5000 years of Korea, that’s what you’re saying.

I don’t think so. The fact is, Koreans are the way they are because this is the way they are.